Jose Mourinho Returns Fire on Gary Neville, Graeme Souness

You know how much Jose Mourinho loves controversy and attention. The Manchester United manager is not shy when it comes to hitting back at pundits who criticize his tactics or his team. Mourinho is a very confident and outspoken individual, and when you mix him with today’s media landscape, where strong takes rule and television talking heads are always trying to move the needle with bold opinions, fireworks are inevitable.

Today, in the run-up to Manchester United’s huge clash against arch-rival Liverpool, Mourinho returned fire at analysts Gary Neville and Graeme Souness during his Friday news conference. Mourinho went with the “people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” approach, saying the two men “could not resolve their own problems” while they were in the managing game.

Neville, who often enjoys winding people up by making scathing critiques, labeled United as a team of “individuals” during half-time of the Red Devils 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace Monday night. The Red Devils were down 2-0 at the time Neville made the remarks. Souness has also often been critical of United and Mourinho.

“Some of the guys with an opinion couldn’t resolve their own problems when they were managers so they are giving opinions like they have solutions for everything but is not like that,” Mourinho stated.

“They are in a position where they can give opinions about everything. Sometimes I read and listen, sometimes I don’t. This week, I was more focused on enjoying Champions League and Europa League and preparing my match than be focused on opinions.”

Souness’ managerial career includes stints at Rangers, Liverpool, Galatasaray, Southampton, Torino, Benfica, and Blackburn Rovers. However, he hasn’t worked since 2006 with Newcastle United.

Neville was sacked, from his only head coaching job, after leading Valencia for just four months.

United vs Liverpool Preview Materials:

Liverpool FC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link

Man United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link

Jose Mourinho Press Conference Video: go to this link

Jurgen Klopp Press Conference Video: go to this link

Injury Report: go to this link

Odds via OddsChecker: Man United 19/11, Draw 22/9, Liverpool FC 9/5

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.